Sleeping in Airports

Sleeping in Denver Airport

sleeping in denver airport

If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Denver airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Denver airport provides essential information for seasoned airport sleepers and newbies to help travellers arrive prepared for the experience.

We keep this guide up-to-date with the help of airport sleepers who have generously shared their experiences and airport reviews. If you have any tips or photos to contribute, please take a moment to write a review. Your feedback will help us stay informed about the latest advice for future sleepy travellers.

Sleeping inside Denver Airport

sleeping in denver airport
Terminal A rest area. (Photo by rhonda /December 2021)

Locations & Seating

The spacious airport has a lot of seating areas, both landside and airside, though most seats and benches are equipped with armrests. If you do find an armrest-free bench, go for it! You should have no problem finding an empty gate or corner for privacy at night, particularly if you’re willing to sleep on the floor. Much of the floor is carpeted, but an extra layer can provide added cushion. In each of the three concourses, the upper levels have little foot traffic and may even have a few armrest-free benches.

Here are a few sleep spots that travellers have reported:

  • In Concourse A, you will also find eight recliner-like massage chairs near the end of the concourse in the center. On the 3rd floor (North side, mezzanine), across from the entrance to the lounges, there are some resting chairs and a variety of full flat twin bed style mini beds!
  • In Concourse C, near Gates C26-28, there are some curved couches you can spread out on, but one reader tells us they are as hard as rock.
  • Terminal A, Kudos to Denver airport officials for installing a rest area!
  • In the landside Jeppesen Terminal, there are several armrest-free benches in the middle of it all, but the lights stay bright here.

Do you have a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form.

Rest Zones

A public rest lounge is located airside on the mezzanine level of Concourse A, airside.  The area features flat bed-style seating and recliners.

Hotels

denver airport hotelsPrefer some privacy and comfort? For a good, solid sleep before an early morning flight, check out the Westin Hotel, which is connected to the main Jeppesen Terminal.  If you want to use the hotel between flights, you must exit security to reach it and re-enter for your flight. Additional nearby hotels offer free shuttle service. Here are a few:

  • AmericInn by Wyndham Denver Airport » Check Rates
  • avid hotel Denver Airport Area, an IHG Hotel » Check Rates
  • Baymont by Wyndham Denver International Airport » Check Rates
  • Courtyard by Marriott Denver Airport » Check Rates
  • Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Denver International Airport » Check Rates
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Denver International Airport » Check Rates
  • High Plains Hotel at Denver International Airport » Check Rates
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Denver Airport, an IHG Hotel » Check Rates
  • Hyatt House Denver Airport » Check Rates
  • Quality Inn & Suites Denver International Airport » Check Rates
  • Staybridge Suites Denver International Airport, an IHG Hotel » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Denver Airport.

Lounges

denver airport loungesDenver Airport has a few lounges, but none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you only want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, check out this list of lounges in our Denver Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

More Airport Services & Facilities

For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Denver Airport Guide.

Weather Delays

Denver Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather, particularly with winter snowstorms, but this means they are more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Denver Airport, cots are available for stranded passengers who opt against getting a hotel room.

To find them, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information. (Note: It is not possible to use these cots if you’re choosing to stay the night at the airport and your flight hasn’t been delayed. You also cannot reserve cots in advance.)

Airport Conditions

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Temperature – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers about terminal temperature. One reader tells us the mezzanine area in Concourse A is very warm. Still, you can expect the airport to cool down at night as the air conditioning continues to run and fewer people are inside.   Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
  • Lighting – Generally, the bright airport lights are dimmed at night, particularly at unused gates. The upper level in all 3 Concourses also has dark corners if you prefer more privacy. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel, as reviews are mixed as to where and if the lights are dimmed.
  • Noise – Travellers report that the noise can be a bit of a challenge. By day, you have the standard ambient noise of airport announcements, travellers chatting, and boarding calls. At night, announcements continue, and TVs stay on.   Ongoing construction also contributes to a challenging sleep. One reader tells us, “The noise is currently quite bad due to construction inside the terminal, which produced loud and echoing sounds.” (July 2019) It’s best to be prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, just in case.

Security & Safety

Overall, airport staff and security guards tolerate the many overnight sleepers. At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Denver Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

  • Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
  • Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
  • Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

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Airport Photo Gallery

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